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Quad-Core 2012 Mac Mini Mysteriously Reappears on Apple's U.S. Online Store [Updated]
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Apple's website now shows a 2.8 GHz mini, dual-core, with a 1 TB Fusion Drive and OS X Yosemite for $999.00, and also shows it as in-stock for shipment or pickup today (1/28).
I'm running that 2012 machine (got it when it came out) and am pleased with it. I had a MacPro 1,1, and did not want to wait for the next MacPro. I use a thunderbolt array (Datatale -- phenomenal) with 4 3TB drives. The mini runs Lightroom very well (and I have about 80,000 photos), and an iTunes library of 24,000+ songs. Perhaps if I did heavy video editing I'd feel differently, but I'm very pleased.
I'm sure there are quad chips out there that could do the job. But exactly why Apple chose not to go with the existing options I don't know. Heat? ....
Yea they know they screwed up big time, they are just trying to cover their tracks. Classic Apple. 
Boy was that a tease. I saw the headline and said, run to Apple NOW and then I read a bit further and...
If Apple does indeed add the 2012 Quad Mini back I will jump.
and then I read a bit further and... If Apple does indeed add the 2012 Quad Mini back I will jump.
I agree. Sold my manually upgraded mid mini 2012 along with a 27" iMac for combined $400 profit so I could get the $3500 retina iMac but then I balked. I've been using hackintoshes for everything but laptops but these forced Apple updates from older Mavericks ruined my iTunes server and I caved to buying the refurb $999 2014 model. Its pretty powerful for what it is but I definitely feel ripped off. Just scored an open box entry mini 2012 for $369 and have the memory and ssd, but I'm pretty sure I'll be missing Iris Graphics and the Haswell instruction sets if I return the 2014 model. Its sad with Apple just having the most profitable quarter ever that they would do this to the Mac Mini line for no consumer-driven justifiable reason. They are the Big Brother corporation they rallied against just like Google's "Don't Be Evil"
Socket
I believe Intel's new Quad that would be appropriate for the mini is a different socket than the 2-core... So Apple had to design two logic boards if they wanted a Quad Mini, and apparently they weren't willing to do that.
I believe Intel's new Quad that would be appropriate for the mini is a different socket than the 2-core... So Apple had to design two logic boards if they wanted a Quad Mini, and apparently they weren't willing to do that.
Does Skylake have a different socket? And was the existing socket (the 2012 models) the same as the new 2-core socket?
That would make sense from a business perspective. Why create a new logic board just for quad core which only sells for a small amount, when the next processors will have a different socket.
Plus, if they had to create new logic boards, I am sure the price would be higher and people would still complain.
Planning on buying one of these soon as a Plex Media Server and desktop device.
So it'll be running 24/7 hooked up to a 21:9 monitor for when I need to do desktop things and it'll be my first Macintosh device. Before this, my experience with OS X will be less than 1 hour.
Good idea or good idea? Any need to knows for a first time OS X user?
So it'll be running 24/7 hooked up to a 21:9 monitor for when I need to do desktop things and it'll be my first Macintosh device. Before this, my experience with OS X will be less than 1 hour.
Good idea or good idea? Any need to knows for a first time OS X user?
Start Something New
Maybe it's time Apple changes the tag on the Store Home Page from "Start Something New" to "If it's New To You...."
or "Start Something New with this 3 Year Old Machine...."
Maybe it's time Apple changes the tag on the Store Home Page from "Start Something New" to "If it's New To You...."
or "Start Something New with this 3 Year Old Machine...."
It will do fine as a Plex Media Server but I wouldn't use one as my main desktop device unless I didn't need any serious graphics horse power. Don't expect to do any gaming on the device. I haven't checked latest configs, but you will definitely want a solid state drive if you are using it as a primary desktop.
Other than that, it's a pretty nifty piece of kit. Not a bad place to start, but personally, I don't see much value in the savings when you throw in your monitor, keyboard and mouse, you almost have an entry level iMac. So why not just go with one of those?
I also picked up a refurbed one yesterday. This is my second refurbed mini. I'll find a use for it here, give it to my sister, or sell it on eBay.
Rumor: Mac Mini redesign is really an iPhone charger wall plug with one USB type-C port. Everything else is done via WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC.
Suppose you best get yourself a 2009 model, that has got plenty of processing power for safari and mail.
Bet apple will continue this line going further back to the past with releasing a single core model next year. Hence why not, those single core processor will be superb. Those will be a lot cheaper than a decent processor and lots of users will never notice the difference !
Yes. It is a good idea. Check the home theater topic in this forum. Lots of people are doing just what you are thinking of and swear by it... Not at it!